Back in Blue: Chelsea skipper John Terry back in squad for Stoke game

Petr Cech and John Terry will return from injury to join the Chelsea squad at Stoke tomorrow

Skipper: John Terry is set to return for Chelsea this weekend after being out injured since November

Petr Cech and John Terry will be in the Chelsea squad at Stoke tomorrow.

But Rafa Benitez revealed Fernando Torres was struck down by a stomach big and only played against Swansea because Demba Ba was not 100 per cent fit.

Cech was expected to be out for another week after the groin injury that forced him off at half-time at Everton on December 30, while Terry made a 45-minute comeback after more than two months out against Fulham's under-21 side on Thursday night.

Benitez, though, explained: “John played on Thursday and he was okay. He trained today and is on the list for Stoke, fingers crossed!

“He can't start yet but he's available. That's good news for us, to have both Terry and Frank Lampard available.

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Downed: John Terry was injured in November after a collision with Luis Suarez

“With John we thought it would be less time but as I explained the knee is a problem. Now he is fine. That's good news and hopefully he will be fine to the end of the season.

“For this game he knows he can't start. We will see next week. He needs to train and be fitter and you can't play injured players but it's better to have bodies.”

On Cech, set to step back in for deputy Ross Turnbull, Benitez added: “He came through the training session.

“He will travel then we will have to decide. There is a chance he will play. We will check him. We don't know but it is an option for us.”

Benitez also revealed that Torres – jeered off the pitch in the Capital One Cup defeat by Swansea – was only playing through necessity.

The Blues boss explained: “Fernando had a stomach bug but he had to play because Demba Ba has a hamstring niggle.

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Struck down! Wednesday's League Cup match against Swansea brought no joy for Torres

“Demba was great in his first game but we knew the problems and had to manage him. In the lift before the game on Wednesdays he said he could play but not a full game. I couldn't phone Michael Laudrup to tell him!

“Fernando had the problem but was still training. I went to see him and the doctor and he had to take some tablets but he still gave 100 per cent.

“The problem for Fernando is that because the club paid big money for him everybody was expecting there to be a relation between the money and goals.

“But because he is a top striker defenders are more aware of him and it was hard for him to get chances.

“He has not been at level we were expecting in the last games for different reasons but I'm sure Demba Ba, who is now fine, and Fernando will be a solution for us.”

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Start: Demba Ba scored twice on his debut at Southampton in the FA Cup

Ba, who scored twice on his debut at Southampton in the FA Cup, is set to return to the starting side in place of Torres at the Britannia Stadium, with Lampard also back in the team.

Leaving the toxic atmosphere at Stamford Bridge behind may help although Benitez added: “When the team does well the fans enjoy it and it is easier.

“It is harder when you lose at home. Against QPR everybody expected us to win and the defeat changed the mood.

“In the Swansea game, given the way we lost, especially conceding at the end, I can understand people more emotional. The reality is that we are improving.”